Copper Fittings

Copper fittings are used at every point where a copper line in an air conditioning or refrigeration system is joined, changes direction or steps down in diameter. The tightness and service life of the line depend on these connectors as much as on the pipe itself: a fitting made to a loose tolerance leads to micro-leaks after brazing and, over time, to refrigerant loss.

Product groups

• Elbows (45° and 90°) — a more controlled and repeatable geometry than bending the pipe wherever the line changes direction.
• Tees — for branching off the main line; available in equal and reducing versions.
• Couplings / sockets — join two pipes on the same axis; the standard answer to extending long runs.
• Reducers — connect two pipes of different diameters for stepped transitions.
• Caps / plugs — close off a line end for pressure testing and during phased installation.

Material and standard

The fittings are made from phosphorus-deoxidised copper (Cu-DHP / CW024A) and conform to the EN 1254 series of capillary brazing standards for refrigerant lines and plumbing. Copper's high thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance are why it remains the preferred material for both efficiency and service life.

Installation note

For a capillary brazed joint the mating surfaces must be clean and free of burrs, and the pipe must seat fully inside the fitting. On copper-to-copper joints a phosphorus-bearing brazing alloy (CuP series rod) needs no separate flux; on copper-to-brass or copper-to-steel joints an appropriate flux must be used. Purging the line with nitrogen during brazing prevents an oxide scale forming on the inner pipe wall and later being carried into the compressor.

Applications

Split and VRF air conditioning pipework, commercial refrigeration and cold room lines, heat pump circuits, plumbing and medical gas lines, and industrial process piping.

Contact the Lapin team for the sizes, quantities and lead times you need, or send us your project list for bulk pricing.